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Crash Course:
- Ford earned 4.4 out of 5.0 stars in our 2023 automaker warranty study, the second-highest score of any manufacturer.
- Ford extended warranties, known as Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (ESPs), can cover cars for up to 10 years or 175,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- We found that the average cost of a Ford extended warranty is $2,590.
- Ford ESPs are available in four coverage levels: PremiumCARE, ExtraCARE, BaseCARE, and PowertrainCARE.
Featured Extended Warranty Companies
We reviewed the best extended auto warranty providers, and here are our top picks.
Best Overall Warranty Provider
Endurance
Affordable Monthly Payment
CarShield
Best Warranty Provider for Used Cars
Carchex
A Ford extended warranty can cover unexpected vehicle repair bills after your factory warranty expires. To help owners discover whether it’s worth buying, our review team took an in-depth look at the four extended warranty plans offered by the Ford Motor Company.
In the following article, we’ll share plan details, coverage options, and estimated costs for Ford extended warranties. You’ll also find information about the top third-party warranty providers that offer alternatives to the automaker’s warranty plans.
What Is a Ford Extended Warranty?
A vehicle service contract, also called an extended warranty, provides coverage for Ford models after the new vehicle limited warranty expires. Ford’s comprehensive warranty options are called Ford Protect Extended Service Plans (ESPs).
When you purchase extended warranty coverage from a dealer, repairs will be performed at licensed Ford or Lincoln dealerships by certified Ford technicians. Those technicians will use genuine Ford parts from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for any needed replacements.
A Ford extended warranty covers car repair and labor costs after a mechanical breakdown. Since all of Ford’s plans offer at least powertrain protection, most major repairs are covered under any plan. While coverage terms last up to 10 years or 175,000 miles, drivers can mix and match mileage and time limits to account for their annual driving habits.
Ford Extended Warranty Review
Ford Protect ESPs earned an overall score of 4.4 out of 5.0 in our 2023 automaker warranty study. This is the second-highest score of any car manufacturer we researched.
The table below shows exactly how the Ford extended warranty scored in our study.
| Category | Ford Extended Warranty Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4.4 |
| Coverage | 4.8 |
| Cost | 3.7 |
| Accessibility/Usability | 4.3 |
| Benefits | 4.6 |
Ford Extended Warranty Coverage
Ford owners have four levels of coverage to choose from that vary in what they protect and how much they cost. These plans range from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper protection to powertrain coverage that only takes care of your Ford’s most essential drivetrain components.
Ford Extended Warranty Plans
There are four Ford Protect ESPs offered by the automaker. The table below provides a basic overview of what each plan covers.
| Ford Extended Warranty Plan | Coverage Terms | Coverage | Plan Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PremiumCARE | 3 years/48,000 miles up to 10 years/175,000 miles | Covers over 1,000 components | With few exclusions, this plan is similar to a bumper-to-bumper warranty and is Ford’s most comprehensive plan. |
| ExtraCARE | 3 years/48,000 miles up to 10 years/175,000 miles | Covers 113 components | The next tier of the Ford extended warranty is a comprehensive stated-component plan with high-tech coverage. |
| BaseCARE | 3 years/48,000 miles up to 10 years/175,000 miles | Covers 84 components | BaseCARE is a powertrain-plus plan that covers essentials from PowertrainCARE along with components that specifically impact drivability, like the steering system. |
| PowertrainCARE | 3 years/75,000 miles up to 10 years/175,000 miles | Covers 29 components | PowertrainCARE is Ford’s most basic extended warranty contract and covers the bare essentials for running a vehicle (engine, transmission, and driveline). |
For those interested in more details about Ford’s coverage levels, the sections below provide a more comprehensive description of Ford extended warranty plans.
Ford PowertrainCARE Warranty
Ford BaseCARE Warranty
Ford ExtraCARE Warranty
Ford PremiumCARE Warranty
Ford Protect ESP Added Benefits
Ford packages a number of perks with its extended warranty coverage. All four plans come with benefits that include:
- Roadside assistance: Access to 24-hour roadside assistance with services such as tire repair and fuel delivery.
- Emergency travel expense: Up to $1,000 within the first five days per occurrence to cover travel-related expenses such as food and lodging.
- Towing assistance: Up to $100 toward a towing service.
- Destination assistance: Up to $75 to help you get to your next destination if you suffer a covered breakdown.
- Rental car reimbursement: Rental vehicle benefits up to $30 a day for up to 10 days when a covered vehicle is kept overnight for a covered repair.
Ford ESP Exclusions
As with most extended warranties, Ford Protect ESPs don’t cover routine maintenance such as oil changes or tire rotations. They also exclude windshield, tire, and dent damages, though Ford offers separate protection plans to cover these items.
Can I Extend My Ford Warranty After It Expires?
No, Ford ESPs can only be purchased before your factory warranty expires prior to three years or 36,000 miles. If you’re looking for more flexible and longer coverage terms, consider getting free quotes from a few of the best car warranty companies.
Does the Ford Extended Warranty Transfer?
Ford extended warranties are transferable, meaning they follow the vehicle if it gets sold to a new owner. However, you must pay a small fee to transfer coverage, and these fees vary by state. In addition, Ford vehicle service contracts must be paid in full before you can transfer the contract to a new owner.
Ford Premium Maintenance Plan
As an add-on to Ford’s extended warranty coverage, drivers can purchase a Ford Protect Premium Maintenance Plan. These protection plans cover:
- Routine inspections
- Preventive care
- Wear and tear items like wiper blades, brake pads, and struts
- Oil filter changes
- Multipoint inspections
- All factory-required maintenance
Ford Protection Plans
Ford Protect has several additional plans available for Ford owners. These cover components that are normally excluded from extended warranties because they’re considered general wear and tear items and cosmetic damages.
Ford Tire Warranty
Ford Ding and Dent Coverage
Ford Windshield Warranty
Ford TripleCARE
Ford SurfaceCARE
Ford Protect TheftCARE
Ford Extended Warranty Cost
According to the company, the average Ford extended warranty costs around $2,590. Our research shows drivers typically pay between $2,100 and $4,300 for coverage, though Ford mentioned that many motorists get warranty protection for less.
Ford Extended Warranty Plan Quotes
We got quotes from Ford to determine how much each plan would cost for a Ford F-150 and a Ford Fiesta. The Ford extended warranty costs for each vehicle and plan are mentioned below.
Ford PowertrainCARE Cost
Ford BaseCARE Cost
Ford ExtraCARE Cost
Ford PremiumCARE Cost
What Affects Ford Extended Warranty Costs?
While estimates offer an idea of how much you’ll pay for a Ford extended warranty, there’s no set warranty cost for each vehicle. Because Ford Protect ESPs are sold by dealerships, you may find different prices on the same coverage for your vehicle.
Other than variations in price between dealers, the cost of a Ford extended warranty depends on the factors below:
- Coverage level: A more comprehensive plan like a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty will cost the most, while a simple powertrain plan will be priced the lowest.
- Coverage length: Longer contracts typically cost more. You can save money by opting for a plan that covers fewer total miles if you drive less than the average person.
- Deductible: Ford gives drivers the choice between a $0, $50, $100, or $200 deductible. Paying a higher deductible will lower the overall cost of your plan.
- Make and model: Different models have varying extended warranty prices. For example, a Ford Edge extended warranty costs less than a Ford F-250 extended warranty due to the average cost of repairs for each vehicle.
- Mileage and vehicle age: Coverage costs more for older cars and high-mileage vehicles because they’re more prone to breakdowns.
- Existing coverage status: If the original warranty covers your vehicle at purchase, you’ll often get a cheaper contract.
Ford Extended Warranty Deductible
While the standard deductible for new and used Fords is $100, you can choose a $0, $50, or $200 deductible. New cars aren’t eligible for a $0 deductible.
Ford owners can also choose a disappearing deductible, which means you won’t pay the deductible for covered repairs when they’re performed by the Ford dealer who sold you the car.
Ford Extended Warranty Payment Options
Ford also offers an installment payment plan, which allows you to be interest-free for up to 24 months if you choose not to include a Ford Protect ESP in your vehicle’s purchase financing. If you select the installment payment plan, you must first pay off any remaining balance to transfer coverage.
Is a Ford ESP Refundable?
In most cases, you can get a full or partial refund on Ford extended warranties. Depending on the state, if you cancel your Ford ESP within 30 or 60 days, you’ll receive a full refund minus a $75 processing fee if you haven’t made a claim on your existing policy.
How To Get Ford Extended Warranty Quotes
You can buy a Ford extended warranty from your local Ford dealership, a dealer selling plans online, or the Ford Protect website. No matter where you shop, the plans are identical – but the prices may not be. As the estimates above show, Ford extended warranty costs vary widely depending on where you get the plan.
Some online dealers are known for providing much more affordable coverage than in-person dealerships or the Ford Protect website. This is likely because they have goals to sell a certain number of warranties each month.
Because of this, if you decide to buy an official Ford Protect plan from your local dealer, we’d recommend getting quotes from online dealers beforehand and bringing them to the dealership. Negotiating with local dealers is possible when you bring evidence of lower prices, and some may price-match Ford extended warranty costs from another dealership.
Is a Ford Extended Warranty Worth It?
Whether or not a Ford extended warranty is right for you depends on your preferences. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll use all of the coverage, you could also pay far less for a Ford ESP than for the repairs it covers.
Drivers today are keeping their cars an average of over eight years, which is why many new car buyers and those getting certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles purchase extended warranties. Because they’re transferable, Ford ESPs and other extended warranty plans can add to the resale value of your car. Peace of mind knowing that you won’t face out-of-pocket repair costs also offers significant value.
What To Consider Before Buying a Ford ESP
A Ford extended warranty may not be worth it for everyone. While they provide substantial value in several ways, there are some situations when buying extra coverage doesn’t make sense for Ford owners.
Expand the section below to read about what to consider before purchasing a Ford extended warranty.
Ford Extended Warranty Reviews
Ford Protect ESPs receive mixed reviews from customers online. The general consensus is that while you may not get what you pay for, an extended warranty could insure you against major expenses at a manageable cost.
Here are Ford extended warranty reviews from Reddit:
“I would say it comes down to price of the warranty, as well as your financial stability (can you afford to buy a whole new engine on the car in the worst case?).” – u/G33k-Squadman
“As a technician I would say yes to Ford ESP all day. Just a decade ago I would have said no to any extended plans; they were pure profit and you wouldn’t generally spend that much on a vehicle repair to cover the expense. That has changed.” – u/DefEddie
Best Ford Extended Warranty: Ford Protect or Third-Party?
While Ford Protect ESPs are solid options with multiple term lengths and coverage levels, they can be expensive. The good news is that an extended car warranty from Ford is not the only way to extend warranty protection for your vehicle.
If you’ve weighed the pros and cons of extended car warranties and are interested in a Ford extended warranty, consider alternative plans. While there’s only one place to get a Ford Protect ESP, you can find comparable coverage from independent vehicle service contract providers.
Ford Protect ESP vs. Independent Warranty Providers
When our review team analyzed every major extended warranty company in the industry, it found Endurance to offer the best overall coverage. You can compare Endurance with the Ford ESP in the table below:
| Ford Extended Warranty | Endurance Extended Warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit for purchasing | End of the 3-year/36,000-mile factory warranty | Can be purchased at any time |
| Longest term limit | 150,000 miles | 200,000+ miles |
| Levels of coverage | 4 | 6 |
| Deductible options | $0, $50, $100, or $200 | $0, $50, $100, or $200 |
| Repair facilities | Ford dealerships | U.S. or Canada repair facilities certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) |
| Extra benefits | Roadside assistance, towing, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption coverage | Roadside assistance, tire repairs and replacements, key fob replacements, member rewards, personal concierge services, identity theft protection, repair financing, Endurance Protect app |
| How to purchase | Purchase from dealerships | Get a quote online |
Ford Aftermarket Warranty Advantages
Ford Protect ESPs offer a lot to car owners. However, third-party extended warranty providers have some distinct advantages compared to the automaker’s plans. Expand the section below to see some advantages of independent Ford extended warranties.
Ford Extended Warranty: The Bottom Line
A Ford extended warranty offers significant value to vehicle owners by saving them money on car repair costs. On top of that, it may add resale value to your Ford and could provide valuable peace of mind.
But a Ford Protect ESP isn’t your only option for extended car warranty coverage. Independent warranty providers offer a number of advantages compared to the automaker. These companies also allow you to request free quotes, so it’s easy to compare the costs and coverage of these plans with options from Ford Protect.
Best Ford Extended Warranty Companies
Based on our research, the best aftermarket car warranty companies for Ford owners are Endurance, CARCHEX, and CarShield. Each provider is known to have reasonable rates, holds an established industry reputation, and offers plenty of added benefits.
Endurance: Best Overall
If you could only consider one extended auto warranty provider, we’d go with Endurance. With its outstanding benefits package, comprehensive coverage plans, and affordable costs, Endurance is an excellent alternative to the Ford extended warranty.
The company has been in business since 2006 and is one of the industry’s only direct warranty providers. Since most drivers have positive experiences with the provider, Endurance warranty reviews for customer service are largely positive. Endurance holds a 3.7-star customer rating on both Trustpilot and its Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile.
Endurance offers an accessible pricing structure with various plans and payment options, including multiple deductible options ranging from $0 to $200. Endurance warranties can cover up to 200,000 miles, which is plenty of protection for older vehicles. Drivers can choose from five standard plans plus the EnduranceAdvantageTM option, which includes maintenance.
Read more: Endurance warranty review
Ford Extended Warranty Plans From Endurance
CARCHEX: Best for Used Cars
If your Ford vehicle has been past its original warranty period for a long time, consider that CARCHEX has plans lasting up to 250,000 miles. The company, which started offering warranty products in 1999, has five plans covering everything from basic powertrain components up to high-tech electronics. CARCHEX holds an A+ rating and accreditation from the BBB and has a 2.5-star rating on Trustpilot.
Read more: CARCHEX review
Ford Extended Warranty Plans From CARCHEX
CarShield: Affordable Monthly Payments
If your main goal is to keep Ford extended warranty costs as low as possible, CarShield is worth checking out. Our research team pulled quotes from extended warranty providers across the industry, and we rate CarShield’s offerings as some of the cheapest overall.
In business since 2005, CarShield has served millions of drivers nationwide and is a popular pick for Ford extended warranty coverage. This company is also a trusted brand, as reflected by its 4.0-star rating from over 40,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot.
Read more: CarShield review
Ford Extended Warranty Plans From CarShield
Best Overall Warranty Provider
Ford Extended Warranty: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ford extended warranties:
Does Ford offer an extended warranty?
Yes, Ford extended service plans can cover your vehicle up to 10 years or 175,000 miles. There are four Ford extended warranty plans: PremiumCARE, ExtraCARE, BaseCARE, and PowertrainCARE.
Is the Ford extended warranty a vehicle service contract?
While they’re similar, extended warranties and vehicle service contracts aren’t quite the same. While automakers such as Ford can offer extended warranties, comparable coverage plans from third-party providers go by the title of “vehicle service contracts.”
What does Ford’s extended warranty cover?
The Ford extended warranty covers your car after mechanical breakdowns, with coverage ranging from powertrain to bumper-to-bumper protection. Each plan has benefits such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption coverage. Read more about what a car warranty covers to fully understand your protection plan.
Does the Ford extended warranty cover oil changes?
Like many extended warranty plans, the Ford extended warranty doesn’t cover routine maintenance services like oil changes, windshield wiper blades, and tire rotations.
How long does a Ford extended warranty last?
The Ford extended warranty, known as a Ford Protect Extended Service Plan, covers approved repairs for up to 10 years or 175,000 miles.
Can you buy a Ford extended warranty after purchase?
You can purchase a Ford extended warranty if your car’s basic limited warranty, which lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, is still in effect. After that, consider Ford Protect Continued Service Plans (CSPs) and third-party extended auto warranty plans.
Is there a deductible for the Ford extended warranty?
There is a deductible unless you purchase a pricey $0 deductible option. When you get repairs done under a Ford extended warranty, you’ll pay the deductible before the automaker covers the remainder.
How much should an extended warranty cost?
According to our comprehensive extended warranty research process, plans usually cost between $1,300 and $4,600. The average extended car warranty cost is $2,601, translating to a monthly payment of $95.
Is a Ford extended warranty worth it?
A Ford extended warranty could be worth buying if you want peace of mind that a wide variety of repairs are covered. While four different Ford Protect ESPs exist, many find better prices from independent warranty providers.
Our Methodology
Our expert review team takes satisfaction in providing accurate and unbiased information. We identified the following rating categories based on consumer survey data and conducted extensive research to formulate rankings of the best extended auto warranty providers.
- Industry Standing: Our team considers Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, availability, and years in business when giving this score.
- Coverage: Because each consumer has unique needs, it’s essential that a car warranty company offers an array of coverage options. We take into account the number of plans offered by each provider, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Affordability: A variety of factors influence cost, so it can be difficult to compare quotes between providers. Our team performs ongoing secret shopper analyses for different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations to give this rating.
- Transparency: We consider the transparency of each company’s contracts and the availability of a money-back guarantee when determining this score.
- Customer Service: Reputable extended car warranty companies operate with a certain degree of care for consumers. We take into account customer reviews, BBB complaints, and the responsiveness of the customer service team.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
Ford Extended Warranty
Our team rated Ford Extended Warranty 4.2 out of 5.0.
Product Brand: Ford
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.2
